How do you describe a physical feeling that no one can see or experience but you? I deal with a lot of sensory issues in my new MS life. These “invisible symptoms” bother me every day in some capacity, but the severity isn’t always the same. I’ve talked a lot about the unpredictability of my…
I love going to shows and watching live music. There is something about experiencing live music that brings me so much joy and makes me feel truly present (now that I think about it, was I practicing mindfulness all this time??). Whether in a small venue, an arena, a coffee shop, or outside in a…
My husband and I recently celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary. After enjoying a delicious dinner, we looked at all the photos from our wedding and went through the awesome playlist made by our DJ. Listening to these songs and conjuring up the moment they were played, I thought about how lucky I am to have…
Food has always been an important part of my life. Growing up Italian American, most of my family time was spent in the kitchen or around a table. Many of my core memories involve a meal. I love cooking, but I don’t pretend I’m a professional chef. I don’t have knife skills or tons of…
Last week, I had another MRI. Getting an MRI is really weird. I am not claustrophobic, so I am not scared of MRIs. Well, actually, I am scared of them…but not of going in the machine. I’m always a little scared of the results of the MRI, because what the test says determines what damage…
There is something my therapist told me that I wrote on a post-it note, stuck it to my desk, read every day, and repeat back to myself: At the end of the day, no one will prioritize your health as much as YOU can. To my fellow multiple sclerosis community members – let that sink…
Soon after I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, after the initial shock and fear had somewhat quieted down, one of the questions that crossed my mind was – how does this impact my career? What do I do now? The words “disclosure” and “accommodations” and “protections” took on new meanings – and I wasn’t sure…
I love the summer. It’s my favorite season. Sitting on the beach, sunbathing on the deck, watching sunsets outside with a glass of wine, enjoying a meal al fresco – all activities I love. Unfortunately, since my multiple sclerosis diagnosis, I’ve had to rethink my relationship with Summer. I can still do all of these…
I used to travel for work all the time and I had a pretty solid routine at the airport. Since my multiple sclerosis diagnosis, that routine has changed – for traveling in general, but especially when I’m on a work trip. The long walks from security to the gate can feel less like a convenient…
In an earlier post, I talked about becoming an expert on MS. In this post, I want to talk about something that’s just as important: becoming an expert on yourself. You are the only one who knows what it’s like to live in your body. So you’ve already got a head start on the “expertise”…